Shell is planning to resume its ill-fated Arctic drilling campaign next
summer, less than a year after one of its rigs ran aground in stormy weather.

The Anglo-Dutch group has had little to show for its $5 billion outlay other
than condemnation from environmentalists, censure from US regulators and
badly damaged equipment. However, Simon Henry, its finance director, said
yesterday: “We would like to drill as soon as possible.” The group expects
to submit its formal exploration plan to the US federal authorities this
month .

Mr Henry emphasised that the board had not taken a final decision on whether
to